Spain may go into the Euro 2016 as the defending champions, but manager Vicente del Bosque has surprised many by claiming that he would be more than happy with just a semifinal appearance at the upcoming tournament in France.
Spain have been on a very bad patch of form, which began during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and they have been unable to recover even when experimenting with different areas of the game. Vicente del Bosque has hinted at retirement after the end of the European Championship, although some believe that there has been a change in his stance.
For the time being, the former Real Madrid manager seems to be only concentrating on the national team and doing well at the Euro 2016. After having done so well up until now, del Bosque will want to leave the national team at a high. It is thought to be one of the reasons behind the managed considering to stay on despite a disastrous World Cup. He has transformed the national team into one of the finest in the world, as they have won two European championships and won World Cup in the last decade. France and Germany are seen as the favourites going into the Euro 2016, while England and Belgium can be considered as the dark horses.
“If we reach the semifinals I would be happy, that is the truth, although some would see it it as a failure. What I do not want is for nerves and worries to start, like against the Netherlands [at the last World Cup]. Such disquiet does not help. Unrest does not help. To win the European Championships is something great. We will see if we are up to it. I do not know who are the biggest favourites. I see France up there, England are strong, Germany, Portugal, Belgium… even Iceland or Slovakia,” said del Bosque.